Obituaries

May 18, 2018

Roland Edgar Hetfeld, age 95, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  He was born on June 3, 1922 to the late Carl W. and Alma I. (Fishbeck) Hetfeld in St. Paul, MN.  Roland attended school at Goodman and graduated with the class of 1940.  After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles and worked...

May 18, 2018

Donald “Don” E. Hoffman, age 79, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home while surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Service.  He was born on June 23, 1938 to the late Clifford and Mildred (Monroe) Hoffman.  Don attended the Irma State Graded School...

May 15, 2018

Michael VanRixel age 74 passed away on Tuesday May 15,2018 at Good Samaritan Hospital. Michael was born on December 22, 1943 to the late Matthew & Dorothy (Streich) VanRixel in Racine, WI. On June 14, 1975 He married the love of his life and best friend Barbara (Rainville) VanRixel.

Michael, alongside of his wife, owned and operated...

May 11, 2018

James R. Voigt, age 76, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. James was born April 23, 1942, in Merrill, son of the late Ralph and Ernestine (Kleinschmidt) Voigt. James was self-employed. He is survived by three sons, Jeff Voigt and Jim (Gigi Heinz) Voigt both of Merrill, and Ralph Voigt of Stevens...

May 10, 2018

Joseph O. Reichl, age 89, passed away on Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Woodlawn Court in Merrill, with his wife, Grayce, by his side. Joe was born May 7, 1929, in Wausau, son of the late Oscar and Caroline (Barres) Reichl. He married Grayce Anderson on October 22, 1975. She survives. Joe had been the owner and operator of...

May 5, 2018

Marcella A. Hopp, age 91, of Merrill, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill. Marcella was born February 7, 1927, in Niagara, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Paul and Bertha (Bagley) Lange, Sr. She married James A. Hopp on August 30, 1947, in Gleason. He preceded her in death on October 27, 1989....

May 4, 2018

Luella Adele Giebel went home to heaven on May, 4, 2018.  She was the daughter of the late Ernest and Louise(Kleinschmidt) Geibel. Luella was born on March 10, 1933 in Neptune, New Jersey.

Luella grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Riverdale Grammar School and from Butler NJ High School.  She began her career...

Apr 29, 2018

Sandra M. Sann, age 69, of Wausau, passed away on Sunday, April 29, 2018, in Madison. Sandra was born March 24, 1949, in Wausau, daughter of the late Milford and Mildred (Grewe) Golisch. She married Marlin ‘Butch’ Sann on August 8, 1977. He preceded her in death on January 14, 2014. Sandra was employed by All American Taxi and...

Apr 26, 2018

Ceora Phyllis Mae (Haffemann) Sabatke, age 90, went to her forever home on April 26, 2018 at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, with her family and Pastor at her side. Ceora was born on January 26, 1928, to Roy and Leona (Grawien) Haffemann at her grandparents’ home in Marathon County. It was a very snowy day and the Town...

Apr 22, 2018

Mark Allan Rilley, age 65, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Mark is the sixth of six children born to the late Jerome C. Riley, Sr., and the late Katherine I. (Zischerk) Rilley. Mark is survived by his companion, Rose Kuhnke; sister, Karen (Bill) Leto; brothers, Jim (Elaine) Rilley, Dennis Rilley, Tim...

Apr 22, 2018

Marlyn J. ‘Marlie’ Helmstadter, 84, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, at Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill. Marlie was born June 27, 1933, in Tomahawk, daughter of the late Arnie and Helen (Bame) Pearson. She married William J. Helmstadter on August 22, 1953. He preceded her in death on November 14, 2004. Marlie was a 1951...

Apr 22, 2018

Omer “Chick” Peterson, age 83, of Merrill, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018 at Willow Brooke Point Senior Living in Stevens Point. He was born on July 26, 1934 in Madison to the late Charles and Evelyn (Schuldt) Peterson. Chick and Candace Sahlin were united in marriage on December 17, 1983 in Merrill. She survives.

Chick...

Apr 18, 2018

Jeffrey D. ‘Jeffy’ Woller, 61, of Marathon, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Jeffy was born February 16, 1957, in Merrill, son of the late Daniel and Harriet (Harbath) Woller. He was employed at Greenheck Fan Corp., Wausau. Jeffy enjoyed deer hunting, golfing, watching NASCAR, shooting pool and darts. He was a Brewers, Packers and...

Apr 16, 2018

Jean A. Fredrich, 83, of Merrill, passed away Monday, April 16, 2018 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Jean was born October 23, 1934, in Wausau, daughter of the late Oscar and Elsie (Tapper) Gaulke. She married Ray Fredrich on June 30, 1956. He preceded her in death on May 10, 1991. Jean was a member of St. Stephens United Church...

Apr 16, 2018

George William Schmoeckel Jr., age 72, of Irma, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 16, 2018 at his home in Irma.  He was born on October 1, 1945 to the late George and Irene (Degner) Schmoeckel Sr. in Merrill. George attended and graduated from Merrill High School.

George had proudly served his country in the...

Apr 14, 2018

Larry Allan Langbecker passed away Saturday, April 14, 2018. Larry was born in Merrill, WI to George and Mable Langbecker. There were two things in his life that came before all else: family and community. Larry cared deeply for his wife, children, and grandchildren. An avid outdoorsman, Larry’s fondest memories were of learning to hunt and fish with his...

Apr 5, 2018

Earl E. ‘Bud’ Schuman, age 98, of Merrill, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Ascension St. Clare’s Hospital, Weston. As his family affectionately stated, “Bud died from complications of living a long life”. Bud was born February 19, 1920, in Merrill, son of the late Louis and Lynn (Tholl) Schuman. He married Patricia M. ‘Pat’ Jager on...

Apr 4, 2018

Lester L. Grund, age 64, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at the House of the Dove Hospice, Marshfield. Lester was born September 7, 1953, in Merrill, son of the late Eugene and Delores (Raddatz) Grund. Lester had been a logger for over 30 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, and being outdoors. Survivors include...

Apr 4, 2018

Beverly A. Krznarich, age 76, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital, while surrounded by her loving family.  Beverly was born on March 8, 1942 to the late Gorman and Katherine Dahly in Minot, ND.  She met and fell in love with John Krznarich, and the two exchanged wedding vows on...

Apr 4, 2018

Kim Witz (Metzger), age 57, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, after a 2- year battle with a neuromuscular disease.  Kim was born on November 3, 1960 to Larry and Beverly (VanWassehnova) Metzger in South Rockwood, MI.  Her father, Larry Metzger, preceded her in death.  Her mother, Beverly, survives.    Kim attended and graduated from Fresno...